Budget 2026 Expectations Live Updates: Come February 1, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present her record ninth consecutive Union Budget — the longest streak ever by any finance minister — at 11 AM.
Markets will stay open, with NSE and BSE operating regular trading hours, as investors and businesses brace for announcements shaping FY27.
All eyes are on sector allocations, income tax updates, and measures to boost exports, while the Economic Survey, dropping on January 31, offers a first glimpse into the government’s priorities. Industry bodies are pushing for policy support and GST rationalisation as leaders seek ease of doing business in the country.
As far as income tax is concerned, experts believe the government will focus more on administrative work and does not foresee changes in tax slabs, especially with a new Income Tax Act coming into force on April 1, 2026.
This Budget also comes amid heightened global uncertainty; Trade ties with the US has strained with India facing a 50% tariff while rupee continues to drop to new lows, hitting 91.50 against US dollar on Wednesday, January 21. Experts say steps to support export-import substitution and bring more FPI flows into the country will be closely watched.
Investment firms are also watching out for long-term capital gains and transaction taxes.
In short, what gets announced on February 1 will signal the government’s focus for April 2026–March 2027, impacting individuals, investors, and businesses alike.
Meanwhile, here are some key dates to note:
- January 31, 2026 (Saturday): On the eve of the Budget Day, the government will release the Economic Survey, an annual report that sums up trends and performance in the past year and outlines priorities for the coming year.
- February 1, (Sunday): Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will deliver the Budget speech at 11 am.
- January 28 (Wednesday) – April 2 (Thursday): The Budget session of the parliament will take place in two phases.
CNBC-TV18 tracks all key developments, expectations, policy signals in the run-up to Budget Day.
Countdown to Budget 2026: 8 days to go
